Bihar: ED Arrests JD(U) MLC Radha Charan Shah For Money Laundering From His Ara Residence

A team from the Enforcement Directorate (ED) arrested Janata Dal United [JD(U)] MLC Radha Charan Shah from his residence in Ara, Bihar, on Wednesday (13 September), following extensive searches conducted throughout the day at properties linked to him in the state, as per officials with knowledge of the situation.

Shah's arrest was made under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), according to an ED official familiar with the matter. After being taken into custody, the legislator reported feeling unwell and was subsequently transported for a medical examination, as confirmed by an anonymous ED official.

Bhojpur Superintendent of Police Pramod Kumar affirmed the arrest, stating, "JD(U) legislator Radha Charan Shah was arrested by the ED team from his house."

Shah's arrest is the first instance when a leader from Bihar's ruling JD(U) is arrested by a federal probe agency in recent times.

Officials reported that the ED's searches at various properties associated with Shah in Patna and Bhojpur districts commenced in the morning and extended until 8:15 pm.

This marks the second time in five months that the ED, primarily focused on investigating money laundering cases, has conducted searches at Shah's properties. Earlier, on 6 May, the agency had conducted searches at 21 locations connected to the MLC and his associates.

Shah has business interests in hotels, resorts, a private school, and is reportedly involved in sand mining in addition to his political role.

On 28 August, the ED had issued summons to Shah and his son, requiring their appearance at the agency's Bihar office in Patna within 15 days. Subsequently, both were questioned for approximately 16 hours over two consecutive days.

On 7 February of the same year, the income tax department had also conducted searches at premises linked to Shah and his associates.

In response to these developments, the JD(U) labeled the actions against Shah as politically motivated. Bihar's Rural Development Minister Shravan Kumar accused the BJP-led central government of applying different standards to BJP leaders compared to leaders from other parties.

RJD leader Bhai Birendra remarked, "This is not a new exercise... Those who are against the BJP are corrupt people and those who are with them become honest leaders."

However, the BJP contended that the ED's actions should not be characterized as "vendetta politics." BJP spokesperson Nikhil Anand suggested that leaders from ruling parties who believe there is a misuse of power have the option to seek justice through legal channels.